Information provided for physicians, clinical trials nurses and consumers in order to assist them to make an informed decision about whether to participate in a suitable clinical trial, ensuring all potential risks and benefits are understood as well as the rights and responsibilities of the patient and trial staff.

Website listing gastrointestinal cancer trials open in Australia as well as relevant events.

Website listing leukaemia and lymphoma trials in Australia as well as relevant events.

Website listing lung cancer trials in Australia as well as relevant events.

Website listing melanoma trials and events in Australia and New Zealand

Website listing germ-cell cancer trials open in Australia and New Zealand

Website listing gynaeoncology trials and events in Australia and New Zealand

The Australian and New Zealand Children‘s Haematology/Oncology Group (ANZCHOG, formerly Australian & New Zealand Children‘s Cancer Study Group) functions as the Paediatric Group of COSA. The central aim of the Group is to ensure the best available therapy for all children with malignancies and haematological disorders. The Group is involved in clinical trials, national and international, clinical and laboratory based research and holds workshops, seminars and an annual scientific meeting.

A free, online service that provides accessible, clear information regarding the latest clinical trials in cancer care, including trials that are currently recruiting new participants.

The site was developed with extensive consultation from consumers across Australia in response to cancer consumers’ long standing desire for easy to access information about cancer clinical trials, and to increase participation rates. It provides an exemplar of consumer involvement in research and was launched at the 2010 COSA ASM.

ACTO is for anyone affected by cancer - whether you, your friend or family member - to assist you, together with your cancer specialist, to make decisions about your cancer care options, including clinical trials.

The site is updated daily with new information from Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry and ClinicalTrials.gov from the United States

Simple or advanced searches for information and clinical trials can easily be conducted on the website, including definitions and explanations about types of trials and answers to common questions that patients may have about participating in a cancer clinical trial.

Australian Cancer Trials Online has been developed through a collaboration between Cancer Australia, the University of Sydney, the Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry and Cancer Voices, and evaluated through a grant provided by the National Health and Medical Research Council.

A searchable registry that lists all clinical trials open to children, adolescents and young adults with cancer or blood disorders currently in progress in Australia.

Website listing breast cancer trials open in Australia and New Zealand as well as relevant events.

The 'registry' or 'the ANZCTR' is a comprehensive, on-line register of all clinical trials being undertaken in Australia and New Zealand.

The registry features the full spectrum of therapeutic areas including trials of pharmaceuticals, surgical procedures, preventive measures, lifestyle, devices, treatment and rehabilitation strategies and complementary therapies. It provides coverage of all clinical trials involving Australian/New Zealand researchers or participants.

A specialist group of COSA providing information about prostate cancer and urogenital cancer trials and events in Australia.

The ASSG aims to improve outcomes for sarcoma and related tumours in the Australian community by undertaking outstanding international basic, translational, clinical and supportive care research. The website also provides information about sarcoma and Australian specialists in this area of cancer.

The COSA Biobanking interest group is concerned with issues related to tissue banking for clinical trials in Australia. 

ClinicalTrials.gov is a registry of federally and privately supported clinical trials for a wide range of diseases and conditions conducted in the United States and around the world. ClinicalTrials.gov provides general information about clinical trials, as well as information about a specific trial‘s purpose, who may participate, locations, and phone numbers for more details.

COGNO is a newly formed national neuro-oncology co-operative trial group based at the NHMRC Clinical Trials Centre, located at the University of Sydney. COGNO‘s mission is: 'The achievement of better health outcomes for patients and those affected by brain tumours through clinical trials research'.

The Clinical Research Professionals Group is committed to achieving and promoting excellence in cancer clinical research by way of the specialised contribution of research professionals through education, information, leadership, networking and professionalism.

The group represents the people involved in cancer clinical research that includes collection and management of data within oncology research. This includes clinical trial coordinators, research nurses, clinical research managers, data managers, clinical research associates, and health information managers involved in research.

A 2002 executive summary, recommendations and budget to promote an increased capacity in Australia for clinical trials.

Commissioned by the Clinical Oncological Society of Australia (COSA), this report details the recommended model and implementation plan developed for a national approach to biobanking in Australia following a literature review and extensive stakeholder consultation workshop.

Published in the March 2009 Cancer Forum, this is a report discussing the outcomes of a 1-day workshop convened by COSA in October 2008 with the aim of exploring a coordinated approach to the collection, storage and efficient utilisation of clinical trial specimens as well as appropriate mechanisms for funding tissue banking and access within the CCTGs in Australia.

The Primary Care Collaborative Cancer Clinical Trials Group (PC4TG) funded by Cancer Australia to develop and conduct cancer research in primary care.

The Group fosters collaboration between researchers, health care practitioners and consumers to:

• build research capacity and infrastructure
• enable the development of pre-trial studies, leading to large-scale, multi-site studies
• fill the evidence gaps in oncology in primary care
• improve health outcomes and care for cancer patients

The Psycho-Oncology Co-operative Research Group (PoCoG) was established in 2005, in response to a recognised need to develop the capacity and co-ordinated collaboration to conduct large-scale, multi-centre psycho-oncology and supportive care research. Membership (free) is open to researchers and health professionals from Australia and New Zealand.

The site also includes a clickable world map of psycho-oncology research centres to foster collaborations and networks among researchers in psycho-oncology in Australia and around the world.

Website listing information about radiation oncology trials and events in Australia and New Zealand

The Victorian Cancer Trials Link (VCTL) is an online searchable database of all cancer clinical trials being conducted in Victoria. It can be used by both consumers and clinicians, is free and does not require registration. Most importantly, it is designed to find a clinical trial that matches a patient‘s specific diagnosis and treatment situation. Additionally, it is possible to search for trials by keyword or hospital. The trial information can then be printed off and taken to a treating doctor or used to obtain further details about clinical trials available - contact details are provided for hospitals that are recruiting participants.

Through this website, Cancer Council Victoria aims to:

• Increase the number of patients enrolled in clinical trials
• Increase the number and type of active trials available to metropolitan and rural cancer patients, and
• Improve patient access to new and innovative cancer treatments via clinical trials offered that may only be open at one or more selected cancer centres.

Australian Family Physician is the official journal of The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners. It is a peer reviewed journal publishing original articles and reviews dedicated to meeting the ongoing educational requirements of general practitioners.

This two part series explores issues around the use of complementary and alternative medicine in the Australian general practice context.

Part 1- What does it all mean?: published in Vol. 34, No. 7, July 2005, discusses the definitions of complementary and alternative medicine' and their use in the community.

Part 2- Evidence and implications for GPs: published in Vol. 34, No. 8, August 2005, gives an overview of the available evidence for the benefits and risks of complementary and alternative medicine and an approach to accessing that evidence. It also outlines an approach to addressing the ethical considerations for general practitioners using CAM or discussing CAM with their patients.

Part One: http://www.racgp.org.au/afp/200507/4966

Part Two: http://www.racgp.org.au/afp/200508/6032

Cancer Forum is the official journal of COSA and the Cancer Council Australia. It is published in March, July and November each year for health professionals in the field of cancer. It is an avenue for communication between all those involved in the fight against cancer, and aims to promote contact across disciplinary boundaries.

The March 2011 issue focuses on the controversial, complex topic of complementary and alternative medicine and holistic practice in the treatment of cancer. Articles explore the potential for these therapies to improve a patients' quality of life; possible interactions with traditional treatments; and the challenges of integrating alternative therapies into conventional treatment regimes.

A not-for-profit, peak medical body that promotes the integration of holistic and complementary medicine with current mainstream medical practice, in pursuit of a complete whole person care. Contains links to resources and a practitioner directory of members of AIMA.

The Cancer Institute NSW aims to provide people with cancer, their health professionals, carers and families with credible information about the benefits and risks of using complementary therapies. The benefits of complementary therapies may include their impact on the quality of life of people with cancer. Includes links to other relevant online resources and reports.

The CAM Summaries are peer-reviewed and up-to-date summaries of the existing scientific information on CAM in cancer. They aim to summarize facts on CAM and provide clear statements to health professionals. Documentation with regards to efficacy/effectiveness and safety issues as well as CAM background, promoter claims, description of treatment methods, and biologic mechanisms are presented in a clear and easily accessible format.

In a response to issues raised by the COSA membership around complementary medicines COSA has established a Complementary and Integrative Therapies (CIT) Interest Group with expertise from a range of different areas, as well as a Working Group to help oversee COSA initiatives in this area.

A toolkit has been developed for members to:

• promote evidence-based information about complementary therapies to patients and health professionals
• encourage oncology health professionals to engage in discussion with patients about complementary therapies
• develop and promote guidelines and minimum standards for delivery of complementary therapies
• utilise and build on existing resources and avoid duplication

COSA members can now access an online Natural Medicines Database via the website.

The aims of the CAM-Cancer project are to build a European authoritative network around CAM in cancer with an international panel of experts in CAM research and/or in cancer care with privileged contacts with cancer organizations. The project‘s main achievement will be to prepare and disseminate suitable evidence based information for health professionals in order to help them to inform their patients, especially on safety issues like side effects and possible interactions as well as a critical appraisal of medical evidence.

The project key outcomes include:

• peer-reviewed CAM summaries of the existing scientific information on CAM in cancer
• systematic reviews according to the Cochrane Collaboration guidelines
• in depth investigation of CAM legal status, reimbursement and supervisory issues at the European level and common recommendations for searching and reviewing the evidence.

Information regarding complementary and alternative treatments and therapies to treat cancer and side effects of traditional treatments.

The information is written in two formats, one for patients and the other for health professionals.

Topics covered include acupuncture, aromatherapy and  various herbal supplements.

Information is also available regarding integrative therapies that may assist in treating cancers, including chiropractic care, homeopathy, exercise, mediation, reiki, massage and yoga. 

A joint position statement by RACGP and AIMA to ensure that health professionals and consumers and general practitioners have access to quality information about complementary medicine so that they are empowered to make well-informed choices.

The guiding principle at Memorial Sloan-Kettering is to offer the most effective treatment and the highest quality of care for people with cancer. The Integrative Medicine Service extends this philosophy by its focus on quality of life. The service includes established in 1999 to complement mainstream medical care and address the emotional, social, and spiritual needs of patients and families.

The site includes videos, a herb database and information regarding clinical trials.

Resources and information regarding complementary and alternative medicines from the National Cancer Institute.

The American Federal Government‘s lead agency for scientific research on the diverse medical and health care systems, practices, and products that are not generally considered part of conventional medicine.

The mission of NCCAM is to:

• explore complementary and alternative healing practices in the context of rigorous science
• train complementary and alternative medicine researchers
• and disseminate authoritative information to the public and professionals

COSA members can now access a comprehensive database of information regarding natural medicines.

A webpage to provide health professionals and consumers with information on evidence based complementary medicine.

Information and guidelines regarding Australian government regulations of complementary medicines are also known as traditional or alternative medicines. Examples include vitamins, minerals, nutritional supplements and herbal, aromatherapy and homoeopathic products.

The Asia-Pacific Journal of Clinical Oncology is a multidisciplinary journal of oncology that aims to be a forum for facilitating collaboration and exchanging information on what is happening in different countries of the Asia Pacific region in relation to cancer treatment and care.

The Journal publishes pre-clinical studies, translational research, clinical trials and epidemiological studies, describing new findings of clinical significance.Clinical studies, particularly prospectively designed clinical trials, are encouraged.

Publicly accessible articles in downloadable PDF format as published in the quarterly Cancer Control journal, the journal of the Moffitt Cancer Centre in USA.

Each issue focuses on a key cancer topic.

Cancer Forum is the official journal of COSA and the Cancer Council Australia. It is published in March, July and November each year for health professionals in the field of cancer. It is an avenue for communication between all those involved in the fight against cancer, and aims to promote contact across disciplinary boundaries.

The policy of Cancer Forum is to provide a forum for debate and the exchange of views. It includes medical, scientific, political, social, educational and administrative comment on all aspects of the fight against cancer.

Cancer is the peer-reviewed journal of the American Cancer Society and this site is the full-text, electronic implementation of CANCER, an Interdisciplinary International Journal of the American Cancer Society. The print and online versions of the journal are published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

The objective of Cancer is to provide an interdisciplinary forum for the exchange of information among oncologic disciplines concerned with the etiology and course of human cancer. Cancer accomplishes this objective by publishing original articles, as well as other scientific and educational documents, that support the mission of the American Cancer Society by facilitating the transfer of knowledge from the laboratory to the bedside; contributing to cancer prevention, early detection, diagnosis, cure, and rehabilitation; and diminishing suffering from cancer.

There is unrestricted access to tables of contents, abstracts, and general information about CANCER. The full-text is available to all subscribers following registration.

Clinical Evidence Online is a central source of the best and most relevant medical evidence for clinical decisions, constantly updated.

Current, evidence-based reviews of the treatments for the following cancers are available:

• Breast cancer (metastatic)
• Breast cancer (non-metastatic)
• Candidiasis (oropharyngeal)
• Cervical cancer
• Colorectal cancer treatment
• Lung cancer  (updated)
• Malignant melanoma (metastatic)  (updated)
• Malignant melanoma (non-metastatic)
• NHL (diffuse large B-cell lymphoma)  (updated)
• Ovarian cancer (advanced)
• Pancreatic cancer
• Prostate cancer (early)
• Prostate cancer (metastatic)  (archived)
• Squamous cell carcinoma of the skin (non-metastatic)
• Stomach cancer

Reviews provide access to interventions, key points about the conditions, updates, guidelines and references. 

Member access to the full content of Clinical Evidence offers:

• Monthly updates and new reviews
• Full text reviews that include the benefits, harms and a comment for each option, additional background information and references
• References that link to PubMed and Cochrane abstracts
• Drug safety alerts
• One page summaries of key points for conditions and treatment options
• Emerging research information
• Links to practice guidelines
• Email alerts, useful site tools and EBM resources.

An article (Carrington, C., Stone, L., Koczwara, B., Searle, C., Siderov, J., Stevenson, B., Michael, M., Hyde, S., Booth, A. and Rushton S. (2010)," The Clinical Oncological Society of Australia (COSA) guidelines for the safe prescribing, dispensing and administration of cancer chemotherapy". Asia-Pacific Journal of Clinical Oncology, 6: 220–237) regarding the process of the development of Guidelines by The Clinical Oncological Society of Australia (COSA) for the safe prescribing, dispensing and administration of chemotherapy and related agents used in the treatment of cancer.

The aim of the guidelines is to assist in the prevention of medication errors and to improve patient safety with respect to the treatment of cancer.

incite is a quarterly online journal designed to provide useful, timely information about cancer prevention, detection, research and education initiatives to the cancer community.

The journal is published four times per year by the Cancer Institute NSW, with day-to-day operational oversight conducted by the Cancer Institute NSW Communications group.

Past issues of the journal are available in the archive.

To receive incite directly to your inbox every quarter, please subscribe online.

The Journal of Cancer Education is the official Journal of the American Association for Cancer Education and the European Association for Cancer Education, an international, quarterly, peer reviewed journal dedicated to the publication of original contributions related to cancer education for health professionals, patients, and the general public.

Articles featured include reports of original results of educational research, as well as discussions of current problems and techniques in cancer education.

AMA, published continuously since 1883, is an international peer-reviewed general medical journal published 48 times per year. JAMA is the most widely circulated medical journal in the world and aims to promote the science and art of medicine and the betterment of the public health.

The Oncology topic area is dedicated to articles related to cancer and cancer treatments.

Also see the Hematology/ Hematologic Malignancies topic area for more articles. 

The Lancet Oncology was launched in September, 2000, as a lively monthly journal containing reviews, opinion, and news covering international issues relevant to clinical cancer specialists worldwide. In May, 2005, the journal expanded to include original research and began publishing articles Online First prior to print publication. The journal has quickly established itself as one of the premier journals worldwide for original research, especially reports from clinical trials. Uniquely, all original research is peer-reviewed via a fast-track service, and successful papers are published within 8 weeks of submission. In 2008, the journal expanded its online presence to include regular podcasts.

The Medical Journal of Australia is Australia‘s premier peer-reviewed journal of medical practice and clinical research, published by the Australian Medical Association. Each year the journal publishes 23 issues in 2 volumes on the 1st and 3rd Monday of each month.

Key pages include:

• Topics, a list of topic areas covered in the journal
• Clinical guidelines, authoritative documents issued by medical colleges and other reliable sources designed to guide doctors and other health care workers to the best practice in particular fields of medicine
• Archives, a list of all articles published by the MJA since January 1996
• Info for patients explains the strengths and limitations of the eMJA site as a source of medical advice
• Bookroom is the eMJA collection of book reviews and a place where books can be purchased online.

Wongi Yabber is the ACN newsletter for supporters and interest groups. It is published quarterly in February, May, August and November on the Cancer Council website and contains information and updates from some of Australia‘s key cancer organisations including COSA, NBOCC, CNSA, Cancer Council and Cancer Voices Australia. Key dates and events are also highlighted in each newsletter.

Series of evidence reports on clinical and health care services including the following cancer and blood disorders:

• Adnexal Mass (February 2006)
• Anemia, Managing with Epoetin and Darbepoetin (May 2006)
• Breast Abnormalities, Noninvasive Diagnostic Tests (February 2006)
• Breast Cancer Care in Women, Measuring Quality (September 2004)
• Breast Cancer Outcomes, Gene Expression Profiling Tests (January 2008)
• Breast Tumors, HER2 Testing (November 2008)
• Cancer Care Quality Measures, Colorectal Cancer (May 2006)
• Cancer Care Quality Measures, Symptoms and End-of-Life (May 2006)
• Cancer Clinical Trials, Recruitment of Underrepresented Populations (June 2005)
• Cancer Control Interventions, Diffusion and Dissemination (May 2003)
• Cancer Family History, Clinical Utility (April 2009)
• Cancer Family History, Collection and Use in Primary Care (October 2007)
• Colorectal Cancer Screening (February 2010)
• Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS) (September 2009)
• Family History and Improving Health (August 2009)
• Hereditary Nonpolyposis Colorectal Cancer (May 2007)
• Hydroxyurea for the Treatment of Sickle Cell Disease (February 2008)
• Immuno-Augmentation Therapy and Naltrexone for Cancer Treatment (April 2003)
• Ovarian Cancer, Genomic Tests for Detection and Management (October 2006)
• Physical Activity, General Population and Cancer Patients and Survivors (June 2004)
• Prostate Cancer, Therapies for Clinically Localized (February 2008)
• Small Cell Lung Cancer Management  (July 2006)
  
  

ASCO's Cancer Portals offer disease-specific resources including the latest information from:

• ASCO's Virtual Meeting
• The Journal of Clinical Oncology
• Clinical Practice Guidelines
• Meeting abstracts
• Educational Book manuscripts
• ASCO Daily News.

Portals are available for the following cancers: breast, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, gynecologic, geriatric, head and neck, lung, melanoma, pediatric, prostate and sarcoma.

BMJ Case Reports aims to publish a high volume of cases in all disciplines so that healthcare professionals, researchers and others can easily find clinically important information on common and rare conditions. All articles are peer reviewed and copy edited before publication. Case reports published in other BMJ Journals will also be adapted for publication on BMJ Case Reports.

The full text of all Editor's Choice articles and summaries of every article are free without registration, however you need to sign in to receive content alerts. Only fellows are full access to all case reports. Information on becoming a fellow is available here. 

The Cancer Council Australia has published its first national Research Highlights report. The report profiles some of the hundreds of research projects funded by the Cancer Council each year and introduces the people behind the research, as they discuss their efforts to better understand cancer, improve the prevention and early detection of the disease as well as improve treatments and the quality of life of cancer patients.

CancerNetwork.com offers three online refereed journal publications: ONCOLOGY is published monthly and is geared toward the practicing oncologist. It focuses on practical issues related to the care of patients with neoplastic disease. Topics covered may be either very broad or quite focused and, in general, are authored by a renowned expert in the particular area. Each article that appears in the journal is referred to one, two, or three reviewers, who are asked to write a short commentary to be published alongside the article. These commentaries broaden the reader‘s perspective on the topic being discussed as they serve to highlight areas of consensus or disagreement among professionals most familiar with the topic in question.

Oncology NEWS International provides its audience with timely, concise reports and analyses of news and developments from around the world in all areas of interest to cancer specialists. The journal relies heavily on in-person coverage of scientific meetings and conferences. Correspondents throughout the United States and abroad supply first-hand reports and interviews with researchers, clinicians, and industry and government figures whose work and actions are changing the practice of oncology and hematology.

Special features include monthly point-counterpoint articles, monthly profiles of leaders in oncology and hematology, and a section devoted to economic and practice issues. ONCOLOGY‘s Nurse Edition publishes articles related to practical management issues in the care of patients with neoplastic disease.Through the Nurse Edition, ONCOLOGY aims to provide readers with useful insights into all aspects of patient management, with an emphasis on information and tools that can be applied to daily practice and patient education.

Australia’s Clinical Practice Guidelines Portal has been developed to help Australian clinicians and policy-makers access high quality, evidence-based clinical practice guidelines via a single entry point.

The Portal is an initiative of the National Institute of Clinical Studies, an institute of the Australian Government’s National Health and Medical Research Council as part of our mandate to build a healthier Australia.

The Portal links to clinical practice guidelines developed for use in Australian health care settings. Each guideline on this portal has been assessed according to rigorous selection criteria to help you find the type of guideline you are looking for.

It provides direct links to guidelines or to guideline developer websites. The majority of guidelines linked to are free, however in a few instances payment is required.

The site links only to Australian clinical practice guidelines. For public health and ethics guidelines approved by the NHMRC visit the NHMRC website, or for consumer health information visit the Australian Government’s HealthInsite portal.

The Health Care Innovations Exchange is an AHRQ program designed to support health care professionals in sharing and adopting innovations that improve the delivery of care to patients.

Explore this site to find innovative strategies and quality-related tools, learn how to improve your organization‘s ability to innovate and adopt new ideas, and interact with innovators and adopters.

IARC‘s mission is to coordinate and conduct research on the causes of human cancer, the mechanisms of carcinogenesis, and to develop scientific strategies for cancer control.

The Agency is involved in both epidemiological and laboratory research and disseminates scientific information through publications, meetings, courses, and fellowships.

The site includes information regarding:

• Research Groups
• Publications
• Education and Training

MedlinePlus brings together authoritative information from the National Library of Medicine (NLM), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other government agencies and health-related organizations.

MedlinePlus has extensive information about drugs, an illustrated medical encyclopedia, interactive patient tutorials, information in multiple languages and latest health news.

Preformulated searches for cancer are also included to give easy access to medical journal articles.

NICE is an independent organisation responsible for providing national guidance on promoting good health and preventing and treating ill health.

Technology appraisals are recommendations on the use of new and existing medicines and treatments within the NHS in England and Wales, such as; medicines, medical devices, diagnostic techniques, surgical procedures and health promotion activities.

Included cancers:

• Brain
• Breast
• Cervical
• Gastrointestina
• Glioma
• Haematological malignancies
• Liver
• Lung
• Myeloma
• Ovarian
• Prostate

OncologySTAT's mission is to promote state-of-the-art cancer care by providing oncology professionals with instant online access to the highest-quality news, expert opinion, and clinical information. 

OncologySTAT offers an unparalleled array of professional cancer research, information, and education resources in a single online destination, with a breadth and depth of content that is unrivaled.

All site content is organized by 29 cancer types, enabling oncologists to instantly and easily access the latest news, scientific updates, and expert opinion pertaining to their specialty. 

You will find:

• Journal Articles: OncologySTAT identifies the latest and most important articles from the most respected sources in oncology
  • Abstracts are available when the publisher grants permission 
  • Summaries are created when the publisher does not grant permission for the abstract
  • And, in come cases, we are able to offer free access to full text
• Journal Scans: Our editors constantly scan the newest, most important journals, flagging the articles that are critical to oncologists. Those articles are highlighted on OncologySTAT.
  • Expert Commentary: In addition, we provide commentary from key opinion leaders to put key articles in perspective
  • Take-Home Message: A brief overview of research article findings
• CME programs
• News: Premier medical and pharmaceutical news provided by Elsevier Global Medical News and FDC Reports 
• Viewpoints: Interviews and commentary with thought leaders on practice-changing clinical trials and controversial topics
• Conference Coverage: Coverage of the most important oncology meetings, including pre-meeting recommendations from experts, news coverage during the conference, and videos and expert analyses of studies relevant to your patients.
• Chemotherapy regimens 
• Oncology drug information
• Key Point Summaries: from Abeloff's Clinical Oncology (4th edition)

Key features of the site include:  

• Weekly Newsletters: InfoBLAST, News and Journal Scans bring you the latest in your cancer area of interest
• RSS Feeds: are available for News, Journal Scans and Commentary
• Integrated Medline search     

In September 2004, the Federal Minister for Health and Ageing, the Hon Tony Abbott MP, asked the NHMRC to review the effectiveness of microwave cancer therapy in Australia, including Dr John Holt‘s microwave (UHF radiowave) cancer therapy. This referral was made under Section 9 of the National Health and Medical Research Council Act 1992.

The NHMRC completed a comprehensive audit of the clinical records of a number of Dr Holt‘s past and present patients, including a comparison of the effectiveness of Dr Holt‘s current and previous microwave (UHF radiowave) cancer therapies with conventional cancer therapies. The results from the assessment of clinical data were incorporated into a final report that was provided to the Minister.

ScienceDaily is best known for showcasing the top science news stories from the world’s leading universities and research organizations.

Updated several times a day with breaking news and feature articles, seven days a week, the cancer section contains indepth latest news, research articles, videos, images and books for researchers, healthcare professionals, government agencies, educators and the general public around the world.

Specific cancer types covered include:

• Bladder Cancer
• Brain Tumor
• Breast Cancer
• Cancer
• Cervical Cancer
• Colon Cancer
• Leukemia
• Lung Cancer
• Lymphoma
• Mesothelioma
• Ovarian Cancer
• Pancreatic Cancer
• Prostate Cancer
• Skin Cancer

The aim of SearchMedica is to improve the practice of medicine by allowing physicians and medical practitioners to discover the most relevant, authoritative, and timely clinical information on the Internet quickly and easily.

SearchMedica scans well-known, credible journals, systematic reviews, and evidence-based articles including patient-directed websites, online CME courses, and government databases of clinical trials and practice guidelines, that are written and edited for clinicians practicing in primary care and all major specialties, including oncology and haematology. 

Initial searches from the SearchMedica home page span all of medicine that may also be refined by clicking one of the therapeutic category links to narrow results to that area.

TouchONCOLOGY enables time-pressured physicians to stay abreast of key advances and opinion in oncology practice.

TouchONCOLOGY comprises balanced and comprehensive articles written by leading authorities, addressing the most important and salient developments in the field of Oncology.

TouchONCOLOGY endeavours to support physicians, clinicians and leading industry professionals in continuously developing their knowledge, effectiveness and productivity. The editorial policy has been designed to encourage discussion among this peer group.

Comprehensive bibliographies for each article mean that TouchONCOLOGY is an informative and valuable reference tool for use throughout the year.

Website containing information about types and treatments for cancer. Requires registration but no joining fee.

A US based website containing multimedia information about various types and treatments for cancer.

A discussion forum is available for registered users to join various communities and share information.

Also included are sections on Hot Topics and Latest Headlines in cancer care and control.

Cancer Australia has released a new resource for general practitioners and gynaecologists to assist in effective and timely investigation of symptoms which could be endometrial cancer. Endometrial cancer is the most common invasive gynaecological cancer in Australia and the incidence of the disease is increasing.

The guide will assist health professionals in assessing women with abnormal vaginal bleeding.

For further information, see the fact sheet on endometrial cancer.

Guidelines developed for health professionals about familial aspects of both breast and ovarian cancer. The aim of the guidelines is to help health professionals determine a woman‘s risk of developing breast or ovarian cancer based on her family history.

A two page guide for general practitioners for the assessment and management of lung cancer.

The information in this guide is intended to assist general practitioners assess if a woman with persistent, unexplained symptoms may have ovarian cancer.

The guide is based on the clinical practice guidelines for the management of women with epithelial ovarian cancer.

Developed in collaboration by the Clinical Oncological Society of Australia (COSA) NETs interest group, the Australian and New Zealand Hepatic, Pancreatic & Biliary Association (ANZHPBA), the Australasian Gastro-Intestinal Trials Group (AGITG) and the Australian and New Zealand Society of Nuclear Medicine (ANZSNM), the scope of the guidelines is well- to poorly-differentiated gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumours (GEP NETs).

The objective of the guidelines is to define the minimum standard of care for Australasian GEP NETs patients, as well as to raise awareness as to the management options that should be considered when formulating a multidisciplinary care plan for these patients.

The guidelines include the following, accessible in an innovative wiki-format on the COSA website:

1. Background
2. Histopathology
3. Biochemical markers
4. Imaging
5. Surgery
6. Liver directed therapies
7. Cytotoxic chemotherapy and other systemic treatments
8. Short and Long-Acting Somatostatin Analogues (SSA)
9. Radionuclide Therapy

A booklet to present current recommendations on screening for cancer and a useful reference tool for general practitioners who are confronted with cancer screening issues in their day to day practice. Eight common malignancies have been included in this review of screening recommendations: breast, cervical, colorectal, lung, melanoma, ovarian, prostate and testicular cancer.

• Part 1 is concerned with definitions and distinctions between screening and ad hoc case-finding of malignant neoplasms.
• Part 2 of the booklet deals with specific information regarding screening for each of the eight cancers.

A lack of information related to the safe administration of oral chemotherapy agents in the community setting for health care professionals, patients and carers was a service gap identified by stakeholders involved in the improvement of cancer care delivery, and so GICS developed Clinical Guidelines that address this gap, in order to:

1. Ensure health care professionals, patients and family have information available to them in relation to:

i. safe prescribing of oral chemotherapy agents

ii. safe handling of chemotherapy agents

iii. safe administration of chemotherapy agents

iv. safe disposal of cytotoxic waste

2. Act as a resource for health care professionals in providing information to patients and family

3. Provide a care pathway which is in alignment with best practice and the Worksafe Victoria, Jan 2003, Handling Cytotoxic Drugs in the Workplace.

Please note the guidelines are intended as a guide only.

Family history is widely recognised as an important risk factor for common cancer, and 5-10 percent of cancers are considered to be attributable to an inherited cancer predisposition. During the past decade there have been major developments in cancer genetics with the identification and characterisation of genes involved in the inherited forms of several common human cancers. The improved ability to detect individuals at high risk though analysis of their family history and/or genetic testing has been accompanied by major advances in screening, surveillance and prevention.

These guidelines address the needs of the major groups with proved or suspected familial predisposition to cancer. The target audience includes all health professionals who may be involved with families seeking advice concerning familial aspects of cancer. More specifically, the document is aimed at health professionals directly involved in the care and management of individuals and families who may have a genetic susceptibility to malignancy. Part 1 covers general issues relating to familial cancer services, whilst Part 2 looks at the requirements for particular cancers. This document attempts to provide up-to-date guidelines, many of which are based on recent reports in the scientific literature.

A guide to assist general practitioners to recognise the symptoms of lymphoma and refer patients for appropriate treatment.

The Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Management of Melanoma in Australia and New Zealand (2008) were developed by an expert team to provide the evidence for optimal care and will assist general practitioners, dermatologists, surgeons and others in clinical decision making when managing patients with melanoma.

Also available is an Ocular and Periocular Melanoma supplementary document:

http://www.nhmrc.gov.au/_files_nhmrc/file/publications/synopses/cp111-ocular-melanoma.pdf

Updated in 2008, the guidelines for the prevention, early detection and management of colorectal cancer (CRC) are evidence-based and have been produced by a multidisciplinary team. The guidelines are intended to provide a resource for all medical practitioners and health workers who require sound information directed toward the management of patients with Colorectal Cancer.

These guidelines are wide-ranging in scope and provide information which covers prevention and screening, diagnosis and psychosocial matters, as well as the clinical aspects of surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

Each chapter can be downloaded separately as a PDF file.

A four-page guide for general practitioners for assessing the risk of bowel cancer. Includes patient information.

A guide for General Practitioners to assist in the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program to assess positive tests and refer patients appropriately. The guide includes information regarding faecal occult blood tests (FOBT), duty of care and payment arrangements.

A range of resources are also available for health practitioners.

Developed specifically for physiotherapists and other health professionals including exercise physiologists, occupational therapists and oncologists based largely on the research and successful cancer
survivor program at the Vario Health Institute, Edith Cowan University, these guidelines, the purpose of these guidelines are to:

• present background information on exercise prescription including modes of exercise, program variables and principles related to training that are critical to induce exercise adaptation
• examine specific issues that may influence a cancer patient’s capacity to exercise during and after treatment and provide the latest available scientific evidence to address these issues
• provide a generic (home-based and clinic-based) exercise program for cancer patients and assist with the administration of such a program including examples of general forms for GP clearance of exercise participation, health and medical history questionnaires and training log formats.

A four-page guide for general practitioners for the prevention, early detection and management of colorectal cancer.

The purpose of these guidelines is to provide recommendations for screening and management of late effects that may potentially arise as a result of therapeutic exposures used during treatment for pediatric malignancies. Can download whole file as PDF (large file) or individual chapters

This 2009 policy reaffirms the position of the RACGP on prostate cancer testing, recommending that patients should be fully informed of the potential benefits, risks and uncertainties of prostate cancer testing and then make their own decision about being tested after discussion and assessment by a GP.

Where a patient chooses to be tested, the RACGP recommends that both PSA and DRE should be performed.

A booklet to present current recommendations on screening for cancer and a useful reference tool for general practitioners who are confronted with cancer screening issues in their day to day practice. Eight common malignancies have been included in this review of screening recommendations: breast, cervical, colorectal, lung, melanoma, ovarian, prostate and testicular cancer.

Part 1 is concerned with definitions and distinctions between screening and ad hoc case-finding of malignant neoplasms.

Part 2 of the booklet deals with specific information regarding screening for each of the eight cancers.

Downloadable/printable quick reference guide available:

http://www.cancerwa.asn.au/resources/2010-06-28-recommendations-for-screening-for-specific-cancers-a4-card.pdf

Providing guidance about the diagnosis/ evaluation/ risk assessment of cancer in Family Practice in the UK, this guideline offers advice on the referral of adults and children with suspected cancer to specialist services.

This guide indicates steps to be taken by a GP when investigating symptoms that could be breast cancer.

A guide to assist health professionals with the assessment, treatment and management of secondary lymphodema.

Revision of NHMRC/ACNs Clinical practice guidelines on non-melanoma skin cancer: guidelines for the treatment and management in Australia (1992) to benefit general practitioners who provide the majority of care for those suffering from non-melanoma skin cancer to assist in sound decision-making.

The Guidelines are guides and are neither rules nor are they prescriptive in any way. The Guidelines are produced mainly for those practitioners who are providing the majority of care to people with non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) in Australia. The data indicate that general practitioners compromise the majority providing this care; hence the Guidelines primarily should be of benefit to them. Solar radiation is the major environmental cause of non-melanoma skin cancer.

Updated from the 2004 guidelines, the Best Clinical Practice Gynaecological Cancer Guidelines 2009 includes information regarding the disease sites, pathology and clinical issues including clinical trials, familial aspects of gynaecological cancer, lymphoedema, palliative care, psychosocial care and vaginal stenosis.

With the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), the Australian Cancer Network has developed high standards of preparation and evaluation of guidelines for health professionals. Equally important, most of the guidelines are also prepared in a condensed format for use in general practice and in a format and language designed for patients and non-clinical readers.

Guidelines are included for:

Guideline development dates vary.

Guidelines regarding childhood lymphoma are included in Chapter 15 iof the Clinical practice guidelines for the diagnosis and management of lymphoma.

The diagnosis of breast cancer is a blow to any woman and her family. However, for younger women in particular the impact is profound - making treatment decisions which impact on body image and sexuality, assessing the possibility of precipitation of premature menopause and enforced infertility, all underscored by the big question: Can I beat it?

These guidelines represent a breakthrough for younger women with breast cancer, who have long felt that their particular needs, both emotional and physical, have not been fully addressed.

Underpinning these guidelines is explicit information and about the emotional impact of breast cancer for younger women, and about evidence-based strategies to appropriately respond.

Available as a single PDF file. Hard copies can be ordered.

These guidelines have been developed to provide information on malignant adult brain tumours(specifically gliomas) to medical practitioners and interested community members.

The aim is to direct attention to improve the level of practice and understanding in a health area that causes considerable community anxiety. The guidelines are for the management of adult gliomas including low- and high-grade gliomas (anaplastic astrocytoma, glioblastoma multiforme and oligodendroglioma). They encompass all aspects of patient management, not just treatment, as management is often complex because of the interaction of multiple medical problems and behavioural and psychosocial issues. 

A review of clinical presentation, diagnostic work up and imaging. Treatment is discussed separately for low-grade gliomas, high-grade gliomas and oligodendrogliomas. Guidance is also provided about continuing care including psycho-social support, the management of symptoms, rehabilitation, follow-up and palliative care.

A further guide: Adult gliomas (astrocytomas and oligodendrogliomas): a guide for patients, their families and carers has recently (May 2011) been developed as a summary of the guidelines for patients, consumers and carers.

The Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Management of Advanced Breast Cancer have been developed by a multidisciplinary working party, which has been rigorous in seeking the best available evidence, including research published up to mid-2000. The guidelines are primarily intended for use by all health professionals involved in the management of women with advanced breast cancer. Breast cancer has a longer history than many other common cancers and often takes the form of a chronic illness.

While recognising that there is a clear need for high level professional skills in diagnosis and management, careful attention has also been given to a patient‘s emotions, psychosocial inter-relationships and general well being. The guidelines aim to provide material that will be helpful and supportive to those managing the difficult range of problems that may present in advanced breast cancer. Available as a single PDF file. Hard copies can be ordered.

Clinical practice guidelines for the management of early breast cancer, 2nd edition, is designed to: assist in decision-making by women and their doctors; educate all involved in the care of women with breast cancer; assess and assure the quality of care; reduce the risk of legal liability by improving care; and bring the issue of cost-effectiveness into the public arena.

To supplement this second edition, the following updates are available: 'Recommendations for Aromatase inhibitors as adjuvant endocrine therapy' and 'The use of intraoperative radiotherapy - for the treatment of patients with early breast cancer'.

The Clinical Practice Guidelines are available as a single PDF file and hard copies can be ordered. The supplements are published online as separate PDF files.

The clinical practice guidelines for the management of women with epithelial ovarian cancer aim to:

• improve the quality of healthcare for women
• educate those involved in the care of women with epithelial ovarian cancer
• assist the decision-making process by women with epithelial ovarian cancer and their doctors
• and facilitate the optimal treatment of women with epithelial ovarian cancer.

Available as a single PDF file. Hard copies can be ordered.

Lung cancer causes a major burden to the health of Australians in terms of morbidity and mortality. The guidelines for the prevention, diagnosis and management of lung cancer provide an evidence-based document produced by a multi-disciplinary working party to facilitate sound decision-making.

They can be utislised for the prevention and screening, initial and pretreatment assessment and supportive care of patients with:

• non-small cell lung cancer (locoregional)
• non-small cell lung cancer (metastatic/ recurrent)
• small cell lung cancer

Available as single PDF file (large file) or each chapter can be downloaded separately. Hard copies can be ordered.

The Clinical practice guidelines for the psychosocial care of adults with cancer have been developed by the NBOCC and the National Cancer Control Initiative in response to this need. The Steering Group used the original psychosocial guidelines for women with breast cancer as a template for the expansion of information, and further development of recommendations regarding clinical care of all adult patients with cancer.

These evidence-based guidelines have been designed for use by all health professionals who come in contact with people during the course of cancer diagnosis and treatment. The document is multidisciplinary in its focus and the recommendations applicable to diverse treatment settings.

The purpose of this document is to update the literature on the management of localised prostate cancer. It will serve as a background document for the Australian Cancer Network‘s Working Party on Management of Localised Prostate Cancer, which was formed to agree upon guidelines for management of localised prostate cancer in Australia.

This report has examined the American Urological Association Guidelines on Management of Localised Prostate Cancer (Middleton RG et al, 1995) in some detail, and finds no evidence from recent literature that warrants substantive changes to these guidelines. Available as a single PDF (large file). Hard copies can be ordered.

This guideline includes statements and recommendations based on available, high-level evidence about the use of chemotherapy for the treatment of advanced breast cancer.

The guideline provides health professionals with information designed to help them make management recommendations for improved patient outcomes.

The guideline, funded by the National Breast Cancer Foundation, has been endorsed by the Medical Oncology Group of Australia, the Faculty of Radiation Oncology at the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists and the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.

This guidance has been produced by the Clinical Oncological Society of Australia (COSA) as part of a national Youth Cancer Networks Program project funded by the Australian Government.

The guidance provides evidence-based recommendations and ‘good practice points’ to assist health professionals in effectively and fully discussing with their AYA patients and their families:

• the potential risk of cancer treatments to fertility
• fertility preservation options for AYAs diagnosed with cancer
• potential late effects and the need for assessment and monitoring of reproductive, sexual and endocrine health after cancer treatment ends.

COSA convened a working group of multidisciplinary health professionals with expert knowledge of the areas covered and a patient representative with personal experience to review the available literature and develop the draft guidance.

COSA invites all interested stakeholders to review the draft guidance and provide comments into the wiki format which will be considered in finalising the content and recommendations.

Developed by a working group of experts from Clinical Oncological Society of Australia (COSA), Cancer Pharmacists Group, Cancer Nurses Society of Australia (CNSA) and Medical Oncology Group of Australia (MOGA), this document provides guidance on the safe prescribing, dispensing and administration of chemotherapy and related agents used in the treatment of cancer.

The purpose of these guidelines is to provide the multidisciplinary team of health professionals with a summary of evidence-based clinical questions related to the nutrition management of adult patients with head and neck cancer.

Head and neck cancer is the fifth most common cancer worldwide. this population is often nutritionally compromised to some degree from the onset, with malnutrition rates reported between 30-50%. The causes of malnutrition are multifactorial including lifestyle factors of tobacco and alcohol use and baseline dietary intake; as well as tumour location and burden, and side effects of multi-modal treatment regimens. Furthermore, malnutrition results in impaired wound healing, reduced immunocompetence, a decreased tolerance to treatment, resulting in undesired treatment breaks and unplanned hospital admissions. Consequently nutrition support plays a crucial role in the provision of best practice care to this population.

The website provides a forum for public comment and debate regarding the guidelines.

The Multidisciplinary Care Guidelines for Women with Breast Disease package describes best practice standards for health care professionals in providing coordinated, multidisciplinary care to women with breast disease. The package has a number of uses:

• for the rural GP and clinician who may not see many women with breast cancer - provides guidance on diagnostic and appropriate treatment options, referral options and how to best provide psychosocial support
• for the rural nurse and other allied health carers involved in the care of a woman with breast cancer - provides guidance to the different clinical pathways, referral options and how to best provide psychosocial support
• for the woman with breast cancer - describes what you can expect during your stay in hospital and immediately afterwards

Guidelines are included for:

• Care Planning For Management Of Breast Disease In Women
• Clinical Pathways
• Patient Information
• Pyschosocial Care

Clinical practice resources to assist with the supportive care of patients for the prevention and management of the adverse effects of cancer and its treatment, including:

Antiemetic Guidelines
Developed by MASCC, the world standard antiemetic guidelines for the treatment and prevention of nausea and vomiting following chemotherapy, radiation therapy or other cancer treatments were updated in 2008. Guidelines are included for the four risk groups and agents and are available for download in several languages.

Mucositis Guidelines
A comprehensive review of the literature related to mucositis and the development of evidence-based clinical practice guidelines.

MASCC Antiemesis Tool (MAT)
The MASCC Antiemesis Tool (MAT) was developed by members of MASCC to assist patients and oncology professionals in communicating accurately about the prevention and control of nausea and vomiting that may occur with chemotherapy. The concept of the MAT is to provide an easy-to-use and easy-to-evaluate tool to assist in providing the best individual care to patients. Additionally, the tool will aid treatment centers in understanding the effectiveness of their antiemetic strategies.

MASCC Oral Agent Teaching Tool (MOATT)
The MASCC Teaching Tool for Patients Receiving Oral Agents for Cancer (MOATT) was developed by MASCC members and evaluated and revised so that it may be used worldwide. It is available in several languages that were translated using the standard forward/backward translation process.

MASCC EGFR Inhibitor Skin Toxicity Tool (MESTT)
The MESTT was developed by the MASCC Skin Toxicity Study Group in 2008 as a tool to assist oncology health professions with the monitoring and reporting of dermatologic AEs in EGFRI-treated patients. The MESTT is an event-specific grading system that can be used to standardize assessment, optimize the use of EGFR inhibitors and enable researchers to conduct more informative, controlled studies in this patient population.

National Breast and Ovarian Cancer Centre’s guidelines and guides are based on the best evidence available at the time of publication and are a guide to appropriate practice, to be followed subject to the clinician’s judgement and the woman’s preference in each individual case.

As new evidence becomes available, existing resources may be updated or topic-specific updates may be developed to act as supplements to existing documents.

This section provides links to all National Breast and Ovarian Cancer Centre guidelines, guides and recommendations, including any relevant updates and the date of publication. Links to relevant evidence reviews and consumer information are also provided.

 Choose a topic area:

• Breast cancer
• Ovarian cancer
• Multidisciplinary care (all-cancer focus)
• Psychosocial care (all-cancer focus)
• Lymphoedema (all-cancer focus)

Find a resource:

• Clinical practice guidelines and recommendations
• GP guides and resources
• NBOCC position statements

A searchable repository of all published, evidence based clinical practice guidelines developed and/or endorsed by the Australian National Health & Medical Research Council (NHMRC).

Search for Cancer for current guidelines.

Note: Development dates of each clinical guideline vary. 

The Grampians Regional Palliative Care Team works closely with the Palliative Care Service Providers across Victoria to assist in the ongoing development and delivery of effective community based palliative care services. This includes elements of education, collaborative strategic planning, preparation of written materials, policies and procedures, quality improvement processes, and consultation. The Grampians Regional Palliative Care Team is committed to providing a variety of quality education to a broad range of health professionals who are striving for better palliative care practice.

Clinical practice guidelines and policies have been developed for the following topics that can be downloaded in PDF:

• Clinical Guidelines for the Administration of Oral Chemotherapy in the Community Setting
• Chemotherapy Safety in the Home - A Patient Guide to Oral Chemotherapy
• Metro Syringe compatibilities
• NIKI Clinical Practice Guidelines
• EMR PCC Opioid Conversion Guide to Practice

The NBOCC Clinical practice guidelines for the management of advanced breast cancer define advanced breast cancer as both locally advanced and metastatic breast cancer (cancer that has spread to other parts of the body).  This topic-specific clinical practice guideline on the use of bisphosphonates for advanced breast cancer is based on evidence for women with advanced breast cancer who have bone metastases and women with locally advanced breast cancer without bone metastases.

Treatment for women with advanced breast cancer includes the use of supportive drug treatments to reduce disease-related symptoms and slow progression of disease, thereby enhancing the woman’s quality of life. Bone metastases are common in advanced breast cancer and the cancer deposits can cause bone resorption, causing bone pain, fractures, hypercalcaemia and spinal cord compression.

Bisphosphonates act to reduce the activity of bone-absorbing cells and are the standard supportive drug treatment for women with bone metastases. In women with at least one bone metastasis, bisphosphonates can be used to reduce skeletal events (defined as new bone metastases, pathological fractures, spinal cord compression, irradiation of or surgery on bone, or the development or progression of bone pain).

The NBOCC* Clinical practice guidelines for the management of advanced breast cancer¹ define advanced breast cancer as both locally advanced and metastatic breast cancer (cancer that has spread to other parts of the body).  This topic-specific clinical practice guideline on the use of bisphosphonates for advanced breast cancer is based on evidence for women with advanced breast cancer who have bone metastases and women with locally advanced breast cancer without bone metastases.

The Standards for Chemotherapy Services in South Australia are designed to
guide the continuous improvement of services by identifying and describing the
minimum workforce, infrastructure and support services necessary to deliver
safe, high quality chemotherapy. They have developed through the review and
incorporation of a range of state, national and international reference documents
and guidelines combined with broad multi-disciplinary consultation across the
South Australian health care system.

A guide to using the Cochrane Library, an international web-based resource that brings together research about the effectiveness of different health care treatments and interventions. The licence to provide access for all Australians to the Cochrane Library has been funded by the Australian Government and has been negotiated by the National Institute of Clinical Studies, Australia‘s national agency for closing the gaps between evidence and practice in health care.

AMEDEO has been created to serve the needs of healthcare professionals, including physicians, nurses, pharmacists, administrators, other members of the health professions, and patients and their friends to allow them to create a profile to easily access timely, relevant information within their respective fields.

AMEDEO‘s core components include:

• weekly emails with bibliographic lists about new scientific publications
• personal web pages for one-time download of available abstracts
• an overview of the medical literature published in relevant journals over the past 12 to 24 months.

All information resources are free of charge.

The Evidence-Based Answers to Clinical Questions for Busy Clinicians (2009) Workbook helps busy clinicians to find the best available evidence to answer clinical questions, in the shortest possible time. It introduces the principles of evidence-based practice and provides a foundation of understanding and skills in developing questions that are answerable from the literature; searching for evidence to answer the question and appraising the evidence identified for quality, reliability, accuracy and relevance.

The Guide to the Best Available Evidence to Support Introduction of New Technologies & Clinical Practices (TCPs) help users find the best available evidence in the shortest possible time.

The Toolkit for Developing Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guidelines in Health Services and The Guide to Developing Patient Information Materials will be available soon.

A toolkit to improve communication between consumers and professionals.

Reflecting the nature of communication as a two-way process, the NHMRC has chosen to produce a single toolkit aimed both at those taking up and those delivering healthcare, rather than developing separate versions for consumers and professionals.

The design of the document makes it clear which sections are aimed at both audiences, and which sections target consumers or professionals specifically. It focuses on elective medical situations; that is, non-emergency situations where there is a choice about whether or not to have a treatment or test, such as whether to have a screening test for a particular type of cancer.

Tool developed by the National Institute of Clinical Studies to help health professionals identify the barriers to applying evidence and changing practice within Australian health care settings.

Designed for group and workshop use, the tool can be adapted for particular situations. An illustration about how to use the tool is also provided.

This edition of Health Affairs (24, no. 1 (2005) provides a variety of perspectives on the challenges and potential rewards of building and using a stronger evidence base for health care decisions.

Articles and case studies in this edition review the history and context of evidence-based decisionmaking; describe the challenges of developing the most relevant evidence for different clinical and policy decisions; and discuss obstacles and opportunities for practitioners and policymakers seeking to implement evidence-based decisions. All articles are available as online PDFs.

Provides lead clinicians and health service managers with tips about how to provide world-best practice in cancer care. Designed to provide practical advice on how to improve cancer care locally in accord with national best practice.

The TRIP Database is a clinical search tool designed to simultaneously search multiple sites based on population, intervention, comparison and/or desired outcome to allow health professionals to rapidly identify the highest quality clinical evidence for clinical practice.

The site has been externally evaluated by a team from the Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine (www.cebm.net)

A repository of answers to previous searches and questions is also accessible at: TripAnswers 

Registered users (registration is free) benefit from extra features such as CPD, search history, and collaborative tools, including subscribing to a regularly updated online developer blog.

Clinical practice guidelines on the following:

• Assays and predictive markers
• Breast cancer
• Gastrointestinal cancer
• Genitourinary cancer
• Head and Neck cancer
• Hematologic Malignancies
• Lung cancer
• Supportive Care
• Quality of Life
• Survivorship

Cancer Care Ontario‘s Clinical Programs work with clinicians to improve the quality, safety and accessibility of cancer services from diagnosis through to long-term follow up and palliative care. The programs monitor quality, develop evidence-based guidance for the system, and work with health professionals and organizations to implement best practices.

The programs are currently organized into nine clinical focus areas that relate to various key aspects of the cancer care continuum, aimed at better understanding the disease pathway for different cancers and developing strategies to identify quality and access gaps, better coordinate care and support collaboration between providers and enhance the experience of patients and health professionals at every phase of cancer.

Information and links to resources are provided for:

• Primary care
• oncology nursing
• palliative care
• psychosocial
• surgical
• pathology and laboratory
• patient education
• radiation treatment
• systemic treatment

Cancer Care Ontario‘s internationally recognized Program in Evidence-Based Care (PEBC) role is to improve the quality of cancer care by helping to apply the best scientific evidence in practice and decisions.

The PEBC evidence-based guidelines and standards are published in peer-reviewed scientific journals, as well as on CCO‘s web site.

Cancer Care Ontario built on the PEBC well-established expertise in producing clinical guidelines for the care of individual patients to include the development of organizational and system standards that set expectations for organizations delivering cancer services in terms of personnel, expertise, facilities and services.

Including:

• breast
• gastrointestinal
• genitourinary
• gyneacology
• head and neck
• hematology
• lung
• melanoma
• nuero-oncology
• sarcoma

A website that brings together all of the latest cancer content from UK publications, Guidelines and Guidelines in Practice. It also contains appropriate links, relevant learning resources, and other useful material.

NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology for Lung Cancer Screening, a new addition to the Complete Library of NCCN Guidelines®. Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States and the world; guidance on using effective screening tools for early detection can assist in the effort to decrease mortality rates.

PDQ (Physician Data Query) is NCI‘s comprehensive cancer database of cancer information summaries for health professionals and consumers based on latest evidence. It contains alphabetical listings of peer-reviewed summaries on specific cancers and their treatment, screening, prevention, genetics, supportive care, and complementary and alternative medicine.

The site also links to a registry of 8000+ open and 19,000+ closed cancer clinical trials from around the world; and a directory of professionals who provide genetics services.

The NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology - the recognized standard for clinical policy in oncology - are the most comprehensive and most frequently updated clinical practice guidelines available in any area of Medicine.

Each individual NCCN Guideline is posted with its latest update date and version number.

Guidelines are available regarding:

• Treatment of Cancer by Site
• Detection, Prevention, & Risk Reduction
• Supportive Care

The guidelines are also available for download as apps for iPhone and Android are free to download through the iTunes Store and Android Market. For further information, visit: http://www.nccn.org/mobile/ 

Please note: To use the NCCN Guidelines apps, an individual must be a registered user on NCCN.org. There is no fee to become a registered user on NCCN.org and to view the NCCN Guidelines.

NICE is an independent organisation responsible for providing national guidance on promoting good health and preventing and treating ill health. Health professionals should take the NICE cancer service guidance into account when planning, commissioning and organising services for cancer patients. This guidance can be used to identify gaps in local provision and to check the appropriateness of existing services, including:

• brain tumours
• breast cancer
• children and young people
• colorectal cancer
• haemato-oncology
• head and neck cancer
• lung cancer
• oesophageal cancer
• sarcoma
• skin tumours including melanoma
• supportive & palliative care
• urological cancers.

NHS Evidence - Cancer is a comprehensive evidence-based resource supporting busy health professionals to find the high-quality cancer information they need to keep up-to-date.

The database is searchable and contains:

• Cancer Topic Guide
• Annual Evidence Updates (AEU) 
• New content - latest systematic reviews (RSS)
• Cancer Statistics, Guidelines, Clinical Trials and Patient Information - Links
• All about NHS Evidence - cancer
• NHS Evidence - Cancer Newsletter (previously Re:source) 
• UK and International Guidelines (2007-2010)
• Database of Uncertainties about the Effects of Treatments (DUETs) 

The Cleveland Clinic Disease Management Project is an online medical reference resource providing healthcare professionals with convenient, quick, credible and precise access to nationally established treatment guidelines and information to assist in patient care.

Information is categorised into:

• Disease Definition
• Epidemiology
• Pathophysiology
• Signs and symptoms
• Diagnosis
• Treatment

Outcomes and Summary and is available for the following diseases:

• Acute Myelogenous Leukemia
• Brain Tumors: Meningiomas and Gliomas
• Chronic Leukemias
• Chronic Myeloproliferative Disorders
• Disorders of Platelet Function and Number
• Oesophageal Cancer
• Hypercoagulable States
• Multiple Myeloma
• Prostate Cancer
• Cervical Cancer Screening and Prevention
• Gynecologic Malignancies: Endometrial, Ovarian, and Cervical Cancer
• Breast Disorders and Breast Cancer Screening
• Lung Cancer

Cancer Council New South Wales’ position statements on different nutritional factors and cancer risk.

A document specifying the CNSA‘s position regarding the minimum education and safety requirements for nurses involved in the administration of cytotoxic drugs.

Evidence based position statements on a range of cancer topics written by a combined professional group including COSA and MOGA.

The listed statements include:

• Intravenous Chemotherapy Supply Program
• Bowel cancer screening position statement
• Breast cancer position statement
• Oral contraceptives position statement
• Prostate cancer position statement
• Sun exposure position statement
• Testicular cancer position statement

This position statement applies to screening methods for the early detection of breast cancer in asymptomatic women (women without breast changes).

Position Statements have been produced on specific geriatric issues which have been approved by the Federal Council.

Available guidelines include:

• Palliative Care for the Older Person
• Indigenous Ageing in Australia
• Geriatric Services in General Hospitals
• Geriatric Assessment and Community Practice
• Dysphagia and Aspiration in Older People

Nurses are in a key position to promote cervical screening to all women.

The International Society of Nurses in Cancer Care is committed to supporting strategies that will reduce the incidence, morbidity, and mortality of cervical cancer.

This position statement contains recommendations that demonstrate the Society's support for strategies that promote equity of access and ensure ethical considerations are intrinsic in all screening/ prevention endeavours.

The Cancer Council Australia has developed a range of evidence-based position statements to communicate our position on key cancer issues. Position statements are written by The Cancer Council‘s expert committees and are based on the evidence available.

Many of the statements relate to the prevention of cancer; reducing cancer risks; screening and early diagnosis.

All statements are reviewed regularly, in accordance with The Cancer Council Australia‘s position statements policy.

Statements include:

• Alcohol and cancer
• Breast cancer
• Bowel cancer
• Cervical cancer
• Nutrition and physical activity
• Occupational and environmental cancers
• Oral contraceptives
• Prostate cancer
• Smoking and tobacco control
• SunSmart
• Supportive care
• State and territory travel and accomodation subsidy schemes
• Benefits of healthy diet and physical activity for cancer survivors
• Complementary and alternative therapies
• Testicular cancer

Summaries of specific systemic therapy treatment protocols based on the accumulated experiences of this Agency together with best practice evidence derived from major cancer centres throughout the world for health care professionals delivering cancer care, treatment and support in British Columbia. Handouts are also available for patients.

The range of chemotherapy protocols include:

• Leukemia/BMT
• Breast
• Endocrine
• Gastrointestinal
• Genitourinary
• Gynecology
• Head & Neck
• Kaposi‘s Sarcoma
• Lung
• Lymphoma & Myeloma
• Melanoma
• Miscellaneous Origins
• Neuro-Oncology
• Primary Unknown 
• Sarcoma

eviQ Cancer Treatments Online is a single repository of standardised, current, evidence based, peer reviewed information about clinical cancer treatments. Designed by medical oncologists to reduce unneccesary practice variation, eviQ provides clinicians, primary carers, patients and carers in all clinical and geographical settings with free 24 hour access to comprehensive information, relevant to the Australian context.

In scope and presentation eviQ represents a significant advance on its forerunner CI-SCaT. The eviQ information system offers standardised and comprehensive information that aligns to the clinical workflow and supports the clinician at the point of care. eviQ also provides treatment and procedure specific patient information for use by clinicians delivering care to cancer patients.

Information is targeted via categories:

• Cancer Genetics
• Haematology
• Marrow Transplantation
• Medical Oncology
• Medical Physics
• Nursing
• Palliative Care
• Patient Information
• Primary Health Care (Cancer Australia funded section)
• Radiation Oncology
• Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA)
• Bone Marrow Transplant (HPCT)

eviQ also includes a searchable database of cancer symptoms and cancer medications including information about adverse reactions, a freely accessible opioid calculator and links to many other credible sources of cancer information.

A poster describing the eviQ Primary Care project is available here.

The 7th edition of the Health and Ageing Thesaurus is a list of subject terms covering concepts of interest to the Department and is a basis for common terminology.

World health organization diagram relating to pain relief and palliative care.

Australian Prescriber is a free, independent publication providing readily accessible, searchable information and articles about drugs and therapeutics, published by the NPS. It covers topics for health professionals, students and consumers.

Readers can access the full text of all articles online free of charge.

Australian health professionals are entitled to a free subscription to the paper copy.

A list of Australian national and state drug information services contact details. Also includes links to the International Register of Drug Information Services

NPS enables Australians, both consumers and health professionals, to make the best decisions about medicines and medical tests, creating better health and economic outcomes for individuals and the nation.

The Health Professionals section of the site allows all health professionals to browse evidence-based publications about drugs and therapeutic practice, other information and tools on best practice, or participate in our educational activities such case studies, clinical audits and pharmacy practice reviews to improve Quality Use of Medicines in practice.
as case studies, clinical audits and pharmacy practice reviews to improve Quality Use of Medicines in practice.

Quality use of Medicines (QUM) is one of the central objectives of Australia's National Medicines Policy. QUM can mean using more or less of a medicine or none at all. It can include prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, herbal and natural medicines.

This web site contains the Schedule of Pharmaceutical Benefits (effective 1 November 2010), a listing of the medicines subsidised by the Australian Government. The Schedule is part of the wider Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme administered by the Department of Health and Ageing and Medicare Australia.

Information about Sonography: What it is, what their role in the workforce is, what education is required and careers in Sonography.

The Therapeutic Advice and Information Service (TAIS) is a medicines information line specifically for health professionals including doctors, pharmacists and nurses. It is funded by the National Prescribing Service (NPS) and staffed by specialist drug information pharmacists.

Services include:

• Information on new drugs and complementary medicines and medicines reported in the media
• Information on newly emerging side effects
• Advice on the clinical importance of potential drug interactions
• Identification of foreign drugs and recommendation of therapeutic equivalents
• Assessment of expected benefits and potential risks of medicines
• Information on drugs in pregnancy and lactation

Login is required for access

The TGA carries out a range of assessment and monitoring activities to ensure therapeutic goods available in Australia are of an acceptable standard with the aim of ensuring that the Australian community has access, within a reasonable time, to therapeutic advances. Website provides information about new drugs, adverse events, withdrawals etc